Charles Paikert

Commonwealth Financial Network, the nation’s largest privately held independent broker-dealer, named Rich Hunter president and chief operating officer on Friday and also announced new affiliation models for its nearly 1,500 financial advisors.

SpringReef Partners, a consulting firm specializing in evaluating wealth mangers for high and ultrahigh net-worth clients, has been acquired by Aronson, an accounting and consulting firm based in Rockville, Md.

Advisors are wary of BNY Mellon's plan to provide private banking services to RIAs.

The Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., wealth management firm announced Monday it will acquire Silver Bridge Advisors of Boston, forming a $3.4 billion RIA to join the growing list of independent advisory firms hoping to establish a national footprint.

The rich are different from everyone else: They may need different insurance policies.

So called “value-add” programs and tools from vendors are getting the attention of financial advisors and influencing their behavior, according to a new study, but still leave much to be desired.

Wealth managers who want to grow their business should start coveting their competition’s clients.

The current run up in equities is indeed producing passionate arguments for both approaches, with advisors, managers and commentators from across the financial spectrum weighing in.

Donating to organizations doing charitable work abroad can be tricky and advisors can provide a valuable service by helping clients navigate the unfamiliar terrain.

Advisors have heard the message loud and clear: Mobile matters. But for all but the most technology savvy advisors, coming up with a mobile app for clients is no easy matter. Here's what you need to know before launching that essential app.

The damage from Massachusetts’ latest action against sales of non-traded REITS by independent broker-dealers may not be fatal, but it should cause firms to reconsider their sales strategies, say industry observers.

Only about 2,100 SEC-registered investment advisors switched their registration to state oversight, according to the North American Securities Administrators Association -- roughly half the number that the SEC estimated would switch as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act.

“The face of the advisor will change. There’s going to be a large cohort of retiring advisors and young advisors. They are going to be more diverse, and more will be working part-time. We have to adapt services to the new demand, and develop tools to communicate and interact with advisors.”

Ultrahigh-net-worth families are asking advisors more questions about family offices. Here are a few guidelines to think about.

The Securities America move underscored the intensity with which advisory firms are competing for talent, executive search experts said.

A key to the direction of Europe's future will be the economic progress of Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece.

China’s transition from relying on exports to drive its economy to developing demand to fuel more domestic consumption is one trend worth keeping an eye on.

Reports that aging clients may not be able to make sound financial decisions because of declining cognitive skills may be overstated, said Laura Carstensen, professor of psychology and head of Stanford University’s Center on Longevity.

Want a technology investment with a real payoff? Steer clear of hot Internet stocks. Instead, make a technology investment in your own practice.

The Chicago-based platform provider and outsourcing firm unveiled Envestnet Intelligence, a new content and analytic offering for advisors at its annual Advisor Summit conference in Chicago.